Studio 300, Fountaindale Public Library District’s digital media creation center, offers dedicated equipment, computers, software, production spaces and collaboration rooms. Use of Studio 300 is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what use is in the best interest of the Library and is authorized to act accordingly, including limiting the use of Studio 300 by individuals whose activities interfere with Library operations, adversely affect public safety, or cause public disturbances. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy, as it deems necessary and appropriate.
Studio 300 is intended for small groups or individuals who seek to create media projects involving, but not limited to, video, audio, music, photography, graphic design, digitization, coding, desktop fabrication (e.g. 3D printing) and illustration.
Studio 300 computers are available for patrons working on digital media and maker projects. General computing activities such as word processing, web browsing, email, social networking or gaming are not priorities in Studio 300.
Group collaboration rooms are designed for patrons to host or participate in videoconferences, virtual meetings or trainings, or for media project development.
Priority for reserving the use of Studio 300 audio/video production spaces and group collaboration rooms is given in accordance with Fountaindale Public Library District’s Meeting Room Policy. Studio 300 computers and audiovisual equipment are available to Fountaindale library cardholders and access cardholders in good standing on a first come, first served basis.
For non-resident library cardholders who have not purchased an access card, but who are reciprocal borrowers as outlined in the Fountaindale Public Library District Circulation Policy, Studio Use Only resources, computers and spaces are available for limited use Monday–Friday during open hours. Circulating resources are available for general check out during all Studio 300 open hours. Studio 300 reserves the right to prioritize Fountaindale Public Library District cardholders.
All use of the audio/video production spaces and group collaboration rooms must be in compliance with the Fountaindale Public Library District Library Conduct Policy, the Fountaindale Public Library District Unattended Child Policy and other applicable policies.
A person’s own valid public library card or photo ID is required to use and reserve Studio 300 computers, spaces and equipment. Additional photo identification will be sought in accordance with the Library’s Circulation Policy, and as an identity theft precaution, the Library will photograph cardholders for the sole purpose of including the photo as an identifying piece in our cardholder database.
Studio 300 orientation is required for Adults who wish to use any Studio specialized equipment. Orientation is not required for Adults wishing to use the spaces, computers or check-out non-specialized equipment. Orientation is required for all children 12-17 to use the Studio in any capacity. Parents or guardians who, along with their children ages 12–17, have completed Studio 300 orientation may elect a parental waiver for their 12–17-year-old to use Studio 300 without an adult present. Children under the age of 12 or younger than 6th grade must be accompanied by an adult, guardian or caregiver 14 years or older who has completed the orientation. The library requires that all persons completing orientation provide a valid email address for the purpose of notifications for reservations, equipment due dates and overdue items.
Studio 300 computer use is governed by Fountaindale Public Library District’s Computer Use Policy.
Reservations are encouraged for library cardholders and access cardholders and required for non-resident cardholders, for the use of Studio 300’s production spaces and group collaboration rooms up to 90 days from the current date in session lengths of up to four hours, with a maximum of 12 hours per month per cardholder depending on room and equipment availability. A cardholder is allowed four hours of room reservations per day and must vacate the room at the end of their period if another individual needs to use the room. Individual members of a group may not ask for use of the room as a new group to gain extra time when the group is substantially the same as the original group.
A patron booking a Studio 300 space or room must present a valid library card or photo ID in order to sign into the reserved room. The library card or photo ID presented must match the account which was initially used to book the room, or must be produced within 10 minutes of the reservation start time to avoid a forfeited reservation.
Fountaindale Library cardholders and access cardholders are also invited to contact or visit Studio 300 to request drop-in use of dedicated equipment, computers, production spaces and collaboration rooms, where availability will be reviewed. Non-resident cardholders may drop in only Monday-Friday.
Rooms may not be left unattended while reserved and in use. If the responsible cardholder leaves a reserved space unattended without notifying Studio 300 staff (even if others are present in their group), the reservation will be immediately forfeited and future reservations may be denied.
Once a room has been vacated for more than 10 minutes, the Library reserves the right to remove the user’s belongings without assuming responsibility or liability thereof and to reassign the room to an available status.
Reservations must be canceled at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled use. Failure to provide 24 hours notice of a cancellation, or regularly canceling room reservation requests, will be grounds for suspension of privileges. Patrons who have not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will be considered no-shows and the reservation will be removed. Patrons who show up late will not have extended reservations.
Depending on the circumstances, individuals or groups who do not cancel appointments may receive one warning. A second occurrence will result in a one-month suspension of Studio 300 collaboration room and space reservations. Repeated violations may result in a longer suspension.
An extensive collection of digital media equipment is available for users. Some hardware must remain in Studio 300, designated as Studio Use Only items, while other hardware items are intended for use off site, designated as circulating equipment.
A credit card authorization will be required for circulating equipment checkouts valued above a certain threshold. Upon return of all equipment in good condition the authorization will be released. The presence of the original credit card and its owner will be required to release the hold. Patrons are responsible for returning all equipment directly to Studio 300 staff on time and in good condition. Items will be checked in after a thorough inspection for condition; patrons are required to be present during this evaluation.
Certain advanced equipment and software will require additional training and practical demonstration by the patron before it will be checked out.
Equipment intended for use within Studio 300 is loaned for a period of four hours. Equipment intended for checkout and use outside of Studio 300 is loaned for a period of five days. In all cases, grace periods and renewals are not allowed on any equipment loaned by Studio 300.
Individual library cardholders and access cardholders will be limited to seven pieces of circulating equipment at any one time.
The cardholder will be asked to sign a checkout form upon each individual use of circulating equipment.
The guidelines detailed in this policy also fully apply to equipment and resources designated as Maker items (3D printing/cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC desktop fabrication, etc.) with the following additions:
Studio Services staff are available during all hours of operation and will attempt to assist patrons at the point of need as time and staff knowledge permits. Studio 300 offers many classes that cover the computer software, production equipment and project workflow techniques used in the lab. Comprehensive online training, eBook and book resources are available.
Advance scheduled one-on-one training sessions with the Studio 300 staff are highly encouraged for assistance with Studio 300-supported software and equipment. Non-residential library cardholders may schedule one-on-one training Monday–Thursday.
Appointments will not be accepted for extensive artistic or graphic design consultation or general computing questions.
Food and Drink: Food is not allowed in Studio 300, and drinks are not allowed in audio suites. Covered drinks are allowed in the computer lab, video studios and collaboration spaces.
Noise: Due to the creative and collaborative nature of Studio 300, there is no guarantee of a silent atmosphere. All Studio 300 visitors are asked to be respectful of each other and of the Library’s Conduct Policy regarding noise. Studios are intended to be actively used with doors shut.
Conduct: The Library Conduct Policy applies to activities in the Studio. Any violations of this policy may result in loss of Studio privileges and/or full library privileges. Treat your group, our staff and other artists respectfully.
Personal Belongings: Your personal items are your responsibility to monitor. Other people’s personal items are to be respected.
Content Creation and Copyright: Studio 300 and Maker Lab-created content must conform to acceptable community and legal standards.
Collaboration: Media computers in Studio 300 are designed for collaboration. There are group collaboration rooms available for small groups of up to six to collaborate. Studio staff will determine the maximum number of people allowed in audio and video production spaces. The cardholder who signed out the space, equipment or computer, must be present at all times. Actions of each individual in the cardholder’s group will be viewed as actions performed by the whole group. Any patron who is not an active part of the creative process may enjoy another area of the library. Loitering is not permitted in Studio 300.
Free access: Library personnel must have free access to the Studio 300 production spaces at all times. The Library retains the right to monitor all activity conducted on Library premises for the purpose of ensuring compliance with Library rules and regulations.
Privacy: The Library cannot guarantee complete patron privacy while using Studio 300 equipment and creative spaces as projects may be done in a public space.
Media Conversion: Studio 300 staff will not convert media or finalize projects in the absence of the content owner. Studio 300 patrons must be present at all times while projects are digitizing and/or rendering. Exceptions may be made at the Studio Services Manager’s discretion.
Use of Personal Devices: Studio 300 visitors are encouraged to connect personal devices to Studio 300 equipment; however, support for such equipment will not be available. Library staff may disconnect personal devices which interfere with the operation of Library equipment or ability of other users to complete projects. Compatibility of personal devices with Studio 300 hardware and software is never guaranteed.
Content Ownership: The Library reserves the right to erase user files left on Library owned hard drives, flash drives and SD cards without prior notice.
Printing: A color laser printer, 3D printing and 3D cutting/vinyl cutting machines are available. Costs can be found on the Library’s website. Studio 300 will not 3D print or 3D cut sharp-edged items or individual pieces which could be used for, or assembled as, a dangerous object, such as a weapon.
The library cardholder or access cardholder who reserves the production spaces or collaboration rooms and their dedicated equipment will be considered the main user and will bear responsibility for any damage or misuse of the equipment. It is the user’s responsibility to report any and all faulty equipment or room concerns immediately. Cardholders are responsible for returning and restoring all rooms and equipment to their originally checked-out condition.
Equipment may not be returned to the library drive-thru window, automatic returns or book drops; it must be brought directly to the Studio 300 service desk with no exceptions. Items returned through Automated Material Handlers, book drops or to another library will be subject to a processing charge (or fee).
Circulating equipment that is checked out for more than nine days (held overdue for four days) or is returned damaged will be either billed to the cardholder for the full replacement cost or charged to the patron’s credit card. Damaged items will not be discharged from the cardholder’s account.
Cardholders who have outstanding charges for lost or damaged equipment will be denied Studio 300 privileges and other library privileges until the charges are reconciled.
The Library does not assume responsibility for personal items or personal equipment left behind or checked out to cardholders. Equipment usage privileges will be revoked due to careless handling of library owned equipment, repeated overdue or damaged returns of library owned equipment. Please note that unattended library equipment is considered careless handling.
Fair Use: U.S. copyright law provisions for fair use of music, artwork and other creative works are extremely restrictive. Each person is personally responsible for knowing the copyright status of any music or graphic material included in digital media and maker projects. Numerous resources exist for fair use media materials.
Illegal downloading, file sharing and duplication: Computers and the Library network may not be used to illegally upload, download or copy copyrighted materials including software, music, videos and graphics. This includes the use of online services that facilitate the unlicensed sharing of media files. Duplication of commercial products is not permitted.
Scanning, digitization and media conversion: Concerns about copyright infringement extend to the use of equipment to duplicate copyright-protected documents and graphic materials. Each patron assumes all responsibility for observing copyright restrictions when using equipment in the library.
Copyright and Maker Equipment: Objects created using equipment designated as Maker must not infringe upon any third party’s intellectual property rights. These objects must not be illegal nor can they be construed as having the intent to harm.
Anyone who uses the Library’s computing and information resources must adhere to the Library’s Computer Use Policy.
For security and privacy, all computer storage is regularly erased and cannot be recovered. Equipment that uses removable media storage cards or has hard drives for media storage will be erased upon return and cannot be recovered. Patrons are encouraged to use personal external storage such as flash drives and/or cloud-based options to back up their projects.
The Library and its staff are not liable for any loss, damage or expense sustained by any user due to or as the result of the utilization of services, equipment, software, advice or information.
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the Studio 300 Policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the availability and use of the study rooms. The Executive Director has delegated authority to approve Studio 300 usage to the Studio 300 staff.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the Studio 300 Policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.
